Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 3
Water Damage Mold Insurance Claims Continued from Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration Part 1 and Part 2 Water damage, Mold Damage and Flood Damage are some of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements are just a few of the ways you could discover exactly what is and is not covered by your home insurance policy. One of the worst effects of water damage comes in the form of mold. If your home has water damage, mold could develop in as short of a time as 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it may continue to grow until steps are taken to thoroughly dry out the premises and eliminate the source of moisture. Mold is certainly not new—it’s been around for hundreds of millions of years—but the sharp rise in mold claims is definitely a 21st -century phenomenon. Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold [PDF, 2.52 MB]. Homeowners Insurance: Is Mold Covered? Whether mold is covered by homeowners insurance often comes down to the source of moisture and the wording of a policy. Mold needs 3 things to thrive – moisture, food and oxygen Mold needs 3 things to thrive. All three of the basic elements – moisture, food and oxygen — MUST be present to support mold growth. If that moisture remains for 24-48 hours you will likely begin to have a mold problem. Problems can arise for homeowners when the presence of persistent moisture goes undetected or unresolved, leading to widespread mold growth. Moisture can result from high indoor humidity, flooding, or a leaky roof or dishwasher. Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters that are sudden and accidental. They are not designed to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home. If, however, mold is the direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold. Clean Up Water Damage Now To Avoid Mold! Regardless of how the water damage happened, it is important to take similar steps to remedy it. Never ignore indications of an obvious water problem in your home. You should immediately attempt to find and stop leaks at their source. Properly dry or remove soaked carpets, padding and upholstery within 24-48 hours after a flood to prevent mold growth. Anything that can’t be properly dried should be discarded. Just letting items dry out will not remove the mold, and mold will grow again anytime there is enough moisture in the air, such as on humid days. Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and inhaled. Wash and disinfect all areas that have been flooded. This includes walls, floors, closets, shelves, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems. If you have...
Read MoreWater Damage Restoration | Flood Damage Repair Minneapolis MN
Water Damage Repair and Restoration Minneapolis Years ago water damage restoration was really primitive compared to how it is done today. To say an industry has come a long way is an understatement. After years of careful analysis, today’s drying techniques are based on objective factors like: building size, type and amount of moisture present and materials involved. Precise instruments are used to measure the drying progress so that the technician is sure all moisture has been removed. There are a variety of equipment and solutions available to the contractor to remove water. A professional water damage restoration contractor should select the structural drying equipment in a scientific method based on materials, size of the water damage area, and the class and category of the water damage. Water Damage Is Classified by Category and Class of Damage: Category The Category of the water loss is based on the waters point of origin: CATEGORY 1 – Originates from a source that does not pose a substantial harm to humans. (Water from faucet, garden hose, water heater, water supply line etc.) CATEGORY 2 – Contains an elevated level of contamination and has potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. (Water from dishwasher, washing machine, laundry tub, water softener etc.) CATEGORY 3 – Contains pathogenic (disease causing) agents and is grossly unsanitary.”Black water” includes sewage and other contaminated water sources entering or affecting the indoor environment. (Water from drains, rivers, lakes, oceans etc.) If Category 2 water is not removed promptly from the structure, it may be reclassified as Category 3. CLASS The Class of the water loss is based on the size and items affected: CLASS 1 – Slow rate of evaporation – (Least amount of water) Water losses that could affect only part of a room or area; or even large losses containing low permeability/porosity materials (e.g. plywood, particle board, structural wood, VCT, concrete.) Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present. Minimum amount of moisture can be held in the remaining structural materials. CLASS 2 -Fast rate of evaporation – (More water than class 1) Water losses that affect the entire room of “carpet and pad.” Water has wicked up the walls as much as 24 inches. There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g. plywood, particle board, structural wood, VCT, concrete.) Due to the amount of water held in dirt or mud, Crawl spaces in most circumstances, will also fit under Class 2. CLASS 3 – Fastest rate of evaporation – (Most amount of water) Water may have come from overhead. Everything is wet. Must have carpet and pad. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion, and sub floor in virtually the entire area are saturated. CLASS 4 – Specialty Drying Situation- (Same amount of water as a Class 1 ) These losses involve wet materials with very low permeability/porosity ( e.g. hardwoods, sub floor, plaster, brick, concrete, stone ) Class 4 differs from a Class 1 due to the deep pockets of saturation that require the use of a desiccant or low grain dehumidifier to achieve the low specific humidity. Even then, the Class 4 drying job will take longer to dry than a typical Class 1. Specialized Training When you are evaluating a water damage professional, it is best to look for a company that has the following: 1- Certification and training from an independent body like the IICRC. These individuals have been exposed to the basic and in some cases advanced methods of structural drying. They have attended several specialty drying schools where we were certified by the IICRC –...
Read MoreMinnesota Water Damage Cleanup, Repair and Restoration
Prevent Frozen Pipes and Water Damage Winter storms can cause significant damage for homeowners. Although weather forecasting has improved over the years, the intensity of a winter storm can be difficult to predict. Storms this time of year are the third largest cause of catastrophe losses, behind only hurricanes and tornadoes. In these hazardous conditions homeowners can have problems with frozen pipes. When pipes burst because they froze or snow accumulation leads to significant water intrusion, your home and contents can suffer significant damage. Even if you live in an area where your home is frequently subjected to sub-zero temperatures and your plumbing system is designed to handle the cold temperatures, loss of power or heat can lead to frozen pipes and catastrophic damage. If you are located in a region that is prone to freezing temperatures taking steps to prevent frozen pipes and other leaks can reduce the risk of property damage. Cold Weather Homeowners Tips Thousands of families have one or more rooms in their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter by water pipes freezing and bursting. When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, water pipes in homes with little or no insulation are likely to freeze and break. A one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water a day, causing serious water damage to your home, destroying floors, furniture, appliances and personal items. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, claim payments by all insurance companies over the past decade for these kinds of losses have exceeded $4 billion. If you’re leaving for a trip or are concerned about a coming cold snap, there’s plenty you can do. Frozen water pipes represent the biggest potential problem for most homes. A little advance planning will usually prevent frozen pipes. Insulate pipes, especially those leading to the outside, and plug holes around the pipes with insulation or spray-in foam. Make sure there is warm air flowing around pipes that are located near an outside wall. Check pipes under sinks to make sure they will get adequate heat. Set the heat in the home warm enough to avoid problems. At night, the heating system needs to circulate water through radiator and baseboard heating units to avoid freezing. Make sure there is clear access to the main water shut-off valve in case there is a leak or a pipe suddenly bursts. Open the water faucets in your sinks enough to allow a slow trickle of water to maintain the flow of water in the lines and help prevent freezing. Make sure your sink drains are open. Shut off the water supply during periods when the home may be unoccupied, particularly when colder weather is expected. Water Damage Cleanup Minnesota homeowners, property managers, building owners, and churches suffering the effects of frozen pipes, cleaning needs to be done quickly to avoid further damage. The temperature and weather conditions may not be ideal for a cleanup, but it is imperative that you act quickly to avoid mold growth. Mold formation is the greatest setback most people face when dealing with water damage. Molding due to water damage can spoil possessions and can cause health problems. Some health problems triggered by exposure to mold include allergic reactions such as asthma, non-allergic reactions such as headaches, as well as lung and breathing infections. If the water damage is minimal, you may be able to do the clean up yourself. The amount of cleanup you can do by yourself will depend on the extent of the water damage. Otherwise contact a Minnesota water...
Read MoreWater Damage Restoration Company MN | Water Damage Repair
Minnesota Water Damage Restoration Minneapolis MN Water damage cleanup, repair and restoration can be a costly operation. In fact, water damage is one of the top reasons why most home insurance plan holders make claims. Most water damages are caused due to burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements. When your home suffers from storm damage, a flooded basement, sewage damage, immediate action is required to remove the water and minimize the damage and loss. The winters are a time when water intrusion into your home has an added opportunity to occur when it snows and the temperatures remain at or below freezing for a minimum of 2-3 days. Although the first half of the 2011-2012 Winter storm season has been relatively mild, it is still possible for Old Man Winter to pack a powerful punch. Winter weather that is more severe than usual in your area can cause a number of problems ranging from water leaks to burst pipes, flooded basements, and roof collapses. These problems are frequently thought of as a northern climate problem. However, whenever an unusually cold spell occurs or a particularly heavy ice or snow accumulation builds up for the area, some buildings start getting into trouble. Ice Dams Ice dams — or ice buildup on roof eaves are all too obvious and all too familiar to Minnesota homeowners. Snow buildup on your roofs can form what are called “ice dams” and leak water into your attic. If enough moisture penetrates through your roofing materials and gets absorbed in the insulation or sheet rock, you won’t notice it until the damage has reached a level that could require a professional to remove it. If you uncover snow-related damage to your home as you are digging out from a blizzard, keep in mind the insurance industry’s approach to paying water-related damages. Snow, after all, is but frozen water and insurers have canceled policies, reduced coverage and raised rates to fight the growing numbers of claims paid for water- and moisture-related damage. Insurers also encourage policy holders to do what they can to avoid the need for such claims. If you are a repeat “offender” with previous moisture-related claims or didn’t previously take steps to prevent or minimize snow damage and damage that could result when snow melts, you could lose your policy, get hit with higher premiums or discover the snow-related damage simply isn’t covered. Maintain Your Home Throughout A Snow Storm “Mold is an issue right now. If you didn’t clean up that puddle of water for three months and it creates mold, it gets tricky. The industry prefers that you take care of your home as much as possible. Houses that have been flooded are at serious risk for molds, especially in areas when are high humidity and temperatures provide the mold with the perfect place to reproduce before cleanup begins. Juries have awarded huge sums of money to homeowners who initiated lawsuits against their insurance companies, with most awards given to people whose insurer did not pay for moisture-related repairs in time to prevent severe mold problems. Freezing conditions such as burst pipes or ice dams, a condition where water is unable to drain properly through the gutters and seeps into a house causing damage to ceilings and walls, is covered (while the actual pipe itself is generally not covered). However, there is generally a requirement that the homeowner has taken reasonable steps to prevent these losses by keeping the house warm and properly maintaining the pipes and drains. Standard homeowners policies typically cover losses related to bursting pipes, ice dams, wind damage,...
Read MoreWater and Flood Damage Repair and Restoration MN
Emergency Water Damage Repair Services MN Restoring your home or business after water damage is a frustrating experience. Fortunately, natural disasters don’t occur every day, and hopefully you’ll never have to deal with water damage from rising water or flooding. However, simple plumbing leaks or overflows, broken or burst pipes and sewer or septic backups are far more common. While dealing with water damage may seem fairly simple (mop or wet vacuum; fans used to promote evaporation), unfortunately, this fails to consider the degree to which water can penetrate into structural cavities and assemblies, creating trapped pockets of saturation. Too late, property owners become aware of the on-going effect of this trapped water on structural and contents materials, which may include: discoloration, warping, splitting, delamination, and musty odor and mold growth. Church in Ogilvie MN Water Damage In this example, the water main broke in their building, creating quite a water damage emergency. Humidity level was high and had to be controlled to prevent further damage. To dry the entire structure, all the water had to be extracted from the entire building. Moisture and its effects in your house or business can cause a lot of harm, like the growth of mildew and mold, and dry rot, and if not cared for it can carry with it seriously large problems if not skillfully extracted. Any drying being done must be Done Right to see to it that there aren’t any environments which promote and allow hazardous materials to flourish, taking your home or business and turning it into an problematic one that will only get bigger if not cared for. Most of the damages can be minimized thereby reducing major expenses, by quick and timely action. Every delay is only going to make matters worse. Cleaning it up quickly will restore your property and protect your health. 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Removal MN The consequences of ineffective restoration – including possible health effects – are far too great to leave water damage improperly restored. Most property owners are not familiar with the essential steps and tactics for proper restoration, and naturally, they have a lot of questions. That’s where you need the help of a certified Minnesota water damage expert that can and will dispatch a crew to your home within the hour to do an evaluation!!! He or she will be qualified through formal training and experience to remove excess water efficiently, to promote efficient evaporation and to establish the dehumidification conditions necessary to stop on-going damage. They will have the proper state-of-the-art equipment, such as Fans, Dehumidifiers, Air Scrubbers, Ozone Machines, Desiccants that can save most...
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